Consulting> USDA Licensed
- Consulting:
caution!
 USDA Breeder is a label to stay away from. The only reason someone would apply for this license is to crank out lots of puppies. Do not confuse USDA numbers with AKC registration numbers. USDA is not a registry.
"We buy only from USDA-licensed breeders."
- A sign often seen at pet stores. USDA stands for the United States Department of Agriculture. Their business is supposed to be livestock. They know little or nothing about dogs. As long as a breeder's paperwork is in order, the facilities are disinfected, cages are a minimum size, and no infectious diseases such as distemper are immediately obvious, the kennel passes.
The USDA has not the slightest interest in...
- whether the breeder knows anything about his breed
- whether the dogs used for breeding look like their breed
- whether the dogs used for breeding act like their breed
- whether the dogs used for breeding are free of genetic health problems such as hip dysplasia, eye diseases, or heart defects.
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- Pet Shop Puppies
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Every pet shop that sells puppies will assure you, solemnly, that their puppies are different. Their puppies don't come from puppy mills, but from fine local breeders. Pillars of the community, in fact!
The truth is that responsible breeders will never place one of their puppies in a pet shop or anywhere else for resale or consignment. Never, ever. Any breeder who has placed their puppy in a pet shop to be sold has immediately disqualified themselves as a responsible breeder.
WHY?
Because, as commercial establishments, pet shops are required to sell a puppy to anyone who can pay. Legally, they are not allowed to "screen" buyers for suitability. Responsible breeders wouldn't be able to sleep at night wondering which of their puppies might have gone to an unsuitable home and was not being properly cared for.
Not convinced?
Ask the pet shop for the phone numbers of these local breeders. Call them to ask some of the "questions to ask a breeder" http://caninecorner-bmd.com/main/node/40
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